Covering for meats



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LYLE J. FLETCHER, OF IBERWYN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGN'OR TO FIGARO CHEMICAL C01, 0! DALLAS, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF ARIZONA.

COVERING FOR MEATS.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LYLE J. FLETCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Berwyn, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Coverings for Meats, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coverings for meats, and the like, and it comprises a covering consisting of pariflin and an aromatic asphaltum compound in which the materials are mixed in proper proportions, heated to liquefy them, and the meat or other substance to be coated is dipped into the mixture.

In the prior art, there has been disclosed certain preservative compounds in which the use of crude or native asphaltum is set forth. These compositions produce a sticky material that does not completely dry, and which is therefore inconvenient to handle or pack.

In the present invention, I have produced a composition for use in preserving wherein the material, when dry, is a perfect protection from air and moisture, and in which the surface of the cover is not sticky. The composition provides .a preservative that Is not brittle when exposed to low tem eratures, and in which no outer coating 0 any sort is necessary.

The composition forming the sub'ect matter of the invention consists mainly of an aromatic asphaltum compound, which is preferably present in the mixture in a proportion greater than. 70%, and may form about 90% of the mixture. The other ingredient used is parafiin which is preferably resent in less than 30% of the mixture and generally in about 10%.

In preparing the compound, the ingredients, in their proper proportions are heated to li uefy them and mixed. They may be mixe in any-suitable manner, as by stirring and mechanical mixing apparatus of any suitable type may be employed. When the asphaltum and paraflin are thoroughly mixed, the compoundis ready for use. I

In using the compound it is first heated to liquefy it and then maintained at a temerature sufficiently high to keep it liquid. he meat or other substance to be preserved Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

Application filed December 6, 1920. Serial No. 428,717.

is first wrapped in paper in the manner heretofore employed, and then wrapped in cloth. After wrapping it is ready for coating, and it is then dipped into the melted compound, and hung up to cool. Upon cooling the compound solidifies and a coating is obtained that is absolutel air tight and which does not interfere wi handling of the meat in packing and storing.

The coating produced is not sticky when dry andthe packages of meat do not have to be provided with an auxiliary cover, as is the case when many of the coating compounds heretofore known are used.

The composition disclosed produces a coating that will not "become brittle in cold weather, but'which is pliable and resembles a piece of soft leather in appearance and physical characteristics.

As stated the most advantageous proportions in which the ingredients are mixeu 1s 90% aromatic asphaltum compound to 10% paraffin but these prop minions may be varied within wide limits. owever, I find it best to always have more than of the aromatic asphaltum compound present.

While I have described an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that various changes ma be made in the method of procedure, and at known chemical equivalents may be substituted for the ingredients without departing from the s irit of the invention or the scope of the c aims.

What I claim is:

1. A preservation coating comprising a mixture of parafiin and an aromatic asphaL tum compound, the asphaltum compound being present in more than 50% of the mixture.

2. A preservation coating comprising a mixture of more than 70% aromatic asp al-- tum compound and less than 30% paraflin.

3. A preservation coating comprising a mixture of aromatic asphaltum com 

